Black Reign (album)

Black Reign
Studio album by
Queen Latifah
Released November 16, 1993
Recorded November 1992 – September 1993
Studio
Genre
Length 55:53
Label Motown
Producer
  • Sidney "S.I.D." Reynolds
  • Tony Dofat
  • Kay Gee
  • Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah chronology
Nature of a Sista
(1991) 		Black Reign
(1993) 		Order in the Court
(1998)
Singles from Black Reign
  1. "U.N.I.T.Y."
    Released: November 9, 1993
  2. "Just Another Day..."
    Released: December 23, 1993
  3. "Black Hand Side / Weekend Love"
    Released: 1994
  4. "Rough... / I Can't Understand"
    Released: September 27, 1994
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic
Robert Christgau (3-star Honorable Mention)(3-star Honorable Mention)(3-star Honorable Mention)
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
NME 7/10
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide
Spin Alternative Record Guide 7/10

Black Reign is the third studio album by American rapper Queen Latifah, released in 1993. Black Reign was her most successful album up to that point, peaking at number 60 on the Billboard 200. The album also peaked at number fifteen on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album sold in excess of 500,000 copies, achieving gold status.

Critical reception

Trouser Press wrote that Latifah "rhymes over bottom-booming jeep beats and sings to sweet soul, dancehall and, in the case of 'Winki’s Theme,' a song for her late brother, a live jazz quartet." The New York Times wrote: "As one of hip-hop's true vocal virtuosos, Queen Latifah tosses off articulate, quick-changing syncopations when she raps, slipping in and out of a Jamaican accent and singing melodic choruses in a sweet, strong voice."

Track listing

Black Reign
No. Title Producer Length
1. "Black Hand Side" S.I.D. 3:22
2. "Listen 2 Me" Tony Dofat 4:43
3. "I Can't Understand" Tony Dofat 3:50
4. "Rough... (featuring Treach, Heavy D, and KRS-One)" Tony Dofat 5:04
5. "4 The D.J.'s (Interlude)" S.I.D. 1:38
6. "Bring The Flavor" Tony Dofat 3:25
7. "Coochie Bang..." S.I.D. 3:46
8. "Superstar" S.I.D. 3:56
9. "No Work" Kay Gee 2:51
10. "Just a Flow (Interlude)" S.I.D. 1:30
11. "Just Another Day..." S.I.D. 4:29
12. "U.N.I.T.Y." Kay Gee & Mufi 4:11
13. "Weekend Love (featuring Tony Rebel)" Kay Gee 4:09
14. "Mood Is Right" S.I.D. 3:30
15. "Winki's Theme" Queen Latifah 5:29
Total length: 55:53

Music videos

Influence

The album was a major influence for young adult novelist Jason Reynolds, who was inspired to start writing poetry when he discovered Black Reign at nine years old.

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) Gold 503,000